Wout Poels crashes out of Paris-Nice: taken to hospital for checks
Team Sky reports that Wout Poels has been taken to hospital after crashing on stage six of Paris-Nice while he was in second place overall


Wout Poels's Paris-Nice came to an abrupt end on Friday after he crashed into a roadside barrier on a descent during stage six. He abandoned the race and was taken to hospital for medical checks.
The Dutchman was leading Team Sky going into the stage from Sisteron to Vence, sitting in second place overall at 15 seconds behind race leader Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana).
Poels was tackling a descent in the final 7km of the race when the crash happened. He was quickly attended to, but was forced to abandon the race as a result of the incident.
>>> Rudy Molard emerges victorious from aggressive stage six finale at Paris-Nice
Team Sky sport director Gabriel Rasch said: “The guys went down a pretty steep descent and the race was full on. I’m not sure what happened but Wout couldn’t make the corner and hit the barriers. He’s now at the hospital being checked over and our medical team is with him."
The team said that it would release more information on Poels's injuries later on Friday evening.
Poels's race had been going well, with victory in the stage four individual time trial.
Sergio Henao (Team Sky) will now be sole leader for Team Sky at Paris-Nice. The Colombian won the race overall last year and is now positioned in eighth spot overall, 46 seconds behind Sanchez.
“Sergio looked good," said Rasch. "He had to pay for some of the work he was doing in the last four kilometres but he looked strong. We’ll go all in for him now."
Just two stages remain in the 2018 race: Saturday's big climbing stage from Nice to Valdeblore La Colmiane, and the tricky final day starting and finishing in Nice.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, n exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
-
No joy for Yates after Giro d'Italia victory: five talking points from stage 14
Yates won the stage, but he wanted to win the race
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
Men's Velocio LUXE bib shorts review
They're as good as the price demands, quickly becoming the go-to bib shorts
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Have you heard the one about why Australian track riders dye their hair blonde? Ineos Grenadiers's Luke Plapp reveals all as he seeks world track and road glory
The Ineos Grenadiers youngster is expected to be one of the peloton's strongest time triallists in the ensuing seasons
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Tom Pidcock and Geraint Thomas to make season debuts at Volta ao Algarve
David Gaudu, Remco Evenepoel and Tobias Foss will also race in Portugal from tomorrow
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Who is Kim Heiduk, Ineos Grenadiers' young German signed to bolster their sprint and Classics options?
The 21-year-old spent three years at the U23 team Lotto-Kern Haus
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Surprise: Egan Bernal posts video of himself walking unaided following crash
Colombian has returned home for rehab after spending two weeks in hospital after his collision
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'It’s like being born again': Egan Bernal on being alive after crash
Ineos Grenadiers rider says his life changed in a second, as he is released from hospital after crash
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Egan Bernal leaves hospital in Colombia two weeks after training crash
Ineos Grenadiers rider now faces "long" rehabilitation, no complications reported
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Filippo Ganna to be given opportunities at Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix this year
Italian rouleur says he wants to prove he is more than "just" a time triallist and track specialist
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tom Pidcock: pressure of World Championships seems 'relatively tranquil' compared to Olympics
British star heads to the cyclocross World Championships as one of the outstanding favourites
By Adam Becket • Published